Recipients include The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The
Greater Pittsburgh Women's Center and Shelter, Children's Hospital's
Free Care Fund and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"In 2008 we formed the nonprofit Dancing for a Difference, to
grow and give our students even more opportunity to share with the
community and use their talents to help others," said Cathy Lavin of
Peters, studio administrator.

To date, Dancing for a Difference has raised more than $95,000
for local charities and is looking to increase that amount
substantially when students from the Dance Workshop join 14 other
groups to stage the 11th annual Gifts of Dance and Other Offerings,
a variety show that will take place at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at
Baldwin High School.

"The show will not only feature 100 of our dancers but also
children and young adults from surrounding communities," Ms. Lavin
said. "Each year, we add new groups and incorporate variety to keep
it fresh. It's a wonderful mix of entertainment."

The list of groups participating includes the Harrison Middle
School Chorus, Baldwin Elementary School students, Baldwin High
Choirs, the Upper St Clair Dance and Hip Hop Teams, the Baldwin
Dance Team, the Char Valley Charvalettes Dance Team, the Bethel Park
Instrumentalists, the Harrison Middle School Flute Choir, St.
Gabriel Elementary students, the Baldwin Community United Methodist
Praise Kids Choir, the Mon River Arts Musical Theater, the Pure
Ballroom Dancers, Rising Sun Martial Arts, the School of Glee, plus
several soloists and duos.

"With all these groups performing, it's definitely a community
effort," owner and instructor Shari Opfermann of North Strabane
said. "The choirs, schools and church groups are made up mostly of
children, which is why we like to refer to the fundraiser as
children helping children."

Proceeds from the sale of $8 admission tickets, raffles and
concessions will go to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of
UPMC's Free Care Fund. …